Flexible hinge support layer

ABSTRACT

Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.

This application claims priority as a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/565,124, filed Aug. 2, 2012, andtitled “Flexible Hinge Support Layer,” which claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/470,633, filed May 14, 2012, and titled“Flexible Hinge and Removable Attachment,” which claims priority under35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,313,filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Functional Hinge,” the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Mobile computing devices have been developed to increase thefunctionality that is made available to users in a mobile setting. Forexample, a user may interact with a mobile phone, tablet computer, orother mobile computing device to check email, surf the web, composetexts, interact with applications, and so on.

Because mobile computing devices are configured to be mobile, however,the devices may be exposed to a wide variety of environments havingvarying degrees of safety for the computing device. Accordingly, deviceswere developed to help protect the mobile computing devices from theirenvironment. However, conventional techniques to install and remove thedevices from the computing device alternated between being difficult toremove but providing good protection or being relatively easy to removebut providing limited protection.

SUMMARY

Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In oneor more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured tocommunicatively and physically couple an input device to a computingdevice. The flexible hinge may be configured to support movement of theinput device similar to a cover of a book, such that the input devicemay act as a cover. Flexibility of the hinge may be implemented using avariety of techniques, such as a support layer to add strength to thedevice to protect components from repeated connection and removal fromthe computing device, e.g., conductors used for communication.

The hinge may also be configured to provide a minimum bend radius tofurther protect these conductors and other components. A variety ofdifferent techniques may be employed, such as use of embossing, amid-spine, material choice, and so on. Additionally, techniques may beleveraged to provide mechanical stiffness to a connection portion thatis used to connect the input device to the computing device, such as toform a laminate structure through the use of pins.

The input device may also include functionality to promote a securephysical connection between the input device and the computing device.One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that areconfigured to be removed from respective cavities of the computingdevice along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes.These protrusions may also be used for a variety of other purposes, suchas to transmit power or communications between the devices.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different instances in thedescription and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or moreentities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single orplural forms of the entities in the discussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment in an example implementationthat is operable to employ the techniques described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation of an input device of FIG. 1 asshowing a flexible hinge in greater detail.

FIG. 3 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation tothe computing device as covering a display device of the computingdevice.

FIG. 4 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation tothe computing device as assuming a typing orientation.

FIG. 5 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation tothe computing device as covering a rear housing of the computing deviceand exposing a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 6 depicts an example orientation of the input device as including aportion configured to cover a rear of the computing device, which inthis instance is used to support a kickstand of the computing device.

FIG. 7 depicts an example orientation in which the input deviceincluding the portion of FIG. 6 are used to cover both the front andback of the computing device.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation showing a perspective view of aconnection portion of FIG. 2 that includes mechanical couplingprotrusions and a plurality of communication contacts.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing acommunication contact as well as a cross section of a cavity of thecomputing device in greater detail.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section of the computing device, connectionportion, and flexible hinge of the input device as being oriented asshown in FIG. 3 in which the input device acts as a cover for a displaydevice of the computing device.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing a magneticcoupling device as well as a cross section of the cavity of thecomputing device in greater detail.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of a magnetic coupling portion that may beemployed by the input device or computing device to implement a fluxfountain.

FIG. 13 depicts another example of a magnetic coupling portion that maybe employed by the input device or computing device to implement a fluxfountain.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing a mechanicalcoupling protrusion as well as a cross section of the cavity of thecomputing device in greater detail.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a protrusion as configured tocommunicate signals and/or transmit power between the input device andthe computing device.

FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of a protrusion in which a surface isdivided to support a plurality of different contacts.

FIG. 17 depicts a cross section view of the protrusion of FIG. 16 asdisposed within a cavity of the computing device.

FIG. 18 depicts an example implementation showing a support layer thatis configured to support operation of the flexible hinge as well asprotect components of the input device during this operation.

FIG. 19 depicts an example implementation in which a top view of theconnection portion is shown.

FIG. 20 depicts a cross section view of the connection portion of FIG.19.

FIG. 21 depicts an example cross sectional view of a first pin of FIG.20 as securing a metal spine to plastic of the connection portion toform a laminate structure.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example system including various components of anexample device that can be implemented as any type of computing deviceas described with reference to FIGS. 1-21 to implement embodiments ofthe techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

A variety of different devices may be physically attached to a mobilecomputing device to provide a variety of functionality. For example, adevice may be configured to provide a cover for at least a displaydevice of the computing device to protect it against harm. Other devicesmay also be physically attached to the mobile computing device, such asan input device (e.g., keyboard having a track pad) to provide inputs tothe computing device. Further, functionality of these devices may becombined, such as to provide a combination cover and input device.However, conventional techniques that were utilized to attach devices tothe computing device may alternate between significant protection andcorresponding complications in installing and removing the device tolimited protection but having relative ease of installation and removal.

Techniques are described herein to removably and/or flexibly connect aninput device or other device (e.g., a cover) with a computing device.These techniques include use of a flexible hinge to promote rotationalmovement similar to that of a book. Techniques may also be employed toprotect components of the input device during this movement, such as tosupport a minimum bend radius to protect conductors of the input devicefrom the flexible movement. These techniques may include materialselection, use of a mid-spine, a support layer, and so on.

Techniques are also described to promote a secure physical couplingbetween the input device and the computing device. This may include useof one or more protrusions that are configured to be engaged inrespective cavities of the computing device, or vice versa. Theprotrusions are configured to mechanically bind within the cavities whenthe input device is “pulled away” from the computing device along one ormore axes, but permit removal along a particular axis. In this way, theinput device may have a secure connection through a wide range ofmovement yet still support ease of removal.

Techniques are also described to promote mechanical stiffness of aconnection portion that is to be used to connect the input device to thecomputing device. The connection portion, for instance, may include aprojection formed of plastic to be disposed within a channel of thecomputing device, or vice versa. A spine, such as a strip of metal(e.g., aluminum), may be secured to the projection to increase themechanical stiffness. This securing may be performed through use aplurality of pins such that a combination of the pins, spine, andprojection may form a laminate structure having increased stiffnessalong an axis of the spine. Further, the pins may be used to support avariety of other functionality, such as to attach the spine to theprojection while an adhesive (e.g., an epoxy) sets, thereby supporting afast production cycle time that is not limited by the amount of timeused to have the adhesive set. Once set, a combination of the adhesiveand the pins may further promote mechanical stiffness of the connectionportion. Further discussion of these and other techniques may be foundin relation to the following sections.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first describedthat may employ the techniques described herein. Example procedures arethen described which may be performed in the example environment as wellas other environments. Consequently, performance of the exampleprocedures is not limited to the example environment and the exampleenvironment is not limited to performance of the example procedures.Further, although an input device is described, other devices are alsocontemplated that do not include input functionality, such as covers.For example, these techniques are equally applicable to passive devices,e.g., a cover having one or more materials (e.g., magnets, ferrousmaterial, and so on) that are configured and positioned within the coverto be attracted to magnetic coupling devices of the computing device,use of protrusions and connecting portion, and so on as furtherdescribed below.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 in an exampleimplementation that is operable to employ the techniques describedherein. The illustrated environment 100 includes an example of acomputing device 102 that is physically and communicatively coupled toan input device 104 via a flexible hinge 106. The computing device 102may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the computingdevice 102 may be configured for mobile use, such as a mobile phone, atablet computer as illustrated, and so on. Thus, the computing device102 may range from full resource devices with substantial memory andprocessor resources to a low-resource device with limited memory and/orprocessing resources. The computing device 102 may also relate tosoftware that causes the computing device 102 to perform one or moreoperations.

The computing device 102, for instance, is illustrated as including aninput/output module 108. The input/output module 108 is representativeof functionality relating to processing of inputs and rendering outputsof the computing device 102. A variety of different inputs may beprocessed by the input/output module 108, such as inputs relating tofunctions that correspond to keys of the input device 104, keys of avirtual keyboard displayed by the display device 110 to identifygestures and cause operations to be performed that correspond to thegestures that may be recognized through the input device 104 and/ortouchscreen functionality of the display device 110, and so forth. Thus,the input/output module 108 may support a variety of different inputtechniques by recognizing and leveraging a division between types ofinputs including key presses, gestures, and so on.

In the illustrated example, the input device 104 is configured as havingan input portion that includes a keyboard having a QWERTY arrangement ofkeys and track pad although other arrangements of keys are alsocontemplated. Further, other non-conventional configurations are alsocontemplated, such as a game controller, configuration to mimic amusical instrument, and so forth. Thus, the input device 104 and keysincorporated by the input device 104 may assume a variety of differentconfigurations to support a variety of different functionality.

As previously described, the input device 104 is physically andcommunicatively coupled to the computing device 102 in this examplethrough use of a flexible hinge 106. The flexible hinge 106 is flexiblein that rotational movement supported by the hinge is achieved throughflexing (e.g., bending) of the material forming the hinge as opposed tomechanical rotation as supported by a pin, although that embodiment isalso contemplated. Further, this flexible rotation may be configured tosupport movement in one or more directions (e.g., vertically in thefigure) yet restrict movement in other directions, such as lateralmovement of the input device 104 in relation to the computing device102. This may be used to support consistent alignment of the inputdevice 104 in relation to the computing device 102, such as to alignsensors used to change power states, application states, and so on.

The flexible hinge 106, for instance, may be formed using one or morelayers of fabric and include conductors formed as flexible traces tocommunicatively couple the input device 104 to the computing device 102and vice versa. This communication, for instance, may be used tocommunicate a result of a key press to the computing device 102, receivepower from the computing device, perform authentication, providesupplemental power to the computing device 102, and so on. The flexiblehinge 106 may be configured in a variety of ways, further discussion ofwhich may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation 200 of the input device 104 ofFIG. 1 as showing the flexible hinge 106 in greater detail. In thisexample, a connection portion 202 of the input device is shown that isconfigured to provide a communicative and physical connection betweenthe input device 104 and the computing device 102. The connectionportion 202 as illustrated has a height and cross section configured tobe received in a channel in the housing of the computing device 102,although this arrangement may also be reversed without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion 202 is flexibly connected to a portion of theinput device 104 that includes the keys through use of the flexiblehinge 106. Thus, when the connection portion 202 is physically connectedto the computing device the combination of the connection portion 202and the flexible hinge 106 supports movement of the input device 104 inrelation to the computing device 102 that is similar to a hinge of abook.

Through this rotational movement, a variety of different orientations ofthe input device 104 in relation to the computing device 102 may besupported. For example, rotational movement may be supported by theflexible hinge 106 such that the input device 104 may be placed againstthe display device 110 of the computing device 102 and thereby act as acover as shown in the example orientation 300 of FIG. 3. Thus, the inputdevice 104 may act to protect the display device 110 of the computingdevice 102 from harm.

As shown in the example orientation 400 of FIG. 4, a typing arrangementmay be supported. In this orientation, the input device 104 is laid flatagainst a surface and the computing device 102 is disposed at an angleto permit viewing of the display device 110, e.g., such as through useof a kickstand 402 disposed on a rear surface of the computing device102.

In the example orientation 500 of FIG. 5, the input device 104 may alsobe rotated so as to be disposed against a back of the computing device102, e.g., against a rear housing of the computing device 102 that isdisposed opposite the display device 110 on the computing device 102. Inthis example, through orientation of the connection portion 202 to thecomputing device 102, the flexible hinge 106 is caused to “wrap around”the connection portion 202 to position the input device 104 at the rearof the computing device 102.

This wrapping causes a portion of a rear of the computing device 102 toremain exposed. This may be leveraged for a variety of functionality,such as to permit a camera 502 positioned on the rear of the computingdevice 102 to be used even though a significant portion of the rear ofthe computing device 102 is covered by the input device 104 in thisexample orientation 500. Although configuration of the input device 104to cover a single side of the computing device 102 at any one time wasdescribed above, other configurations are also contemplated.

In the example orientation 600 of FIG. 6, the input device 104 isillustrated as including a portion 602 configured to cover a rear of thecomputing device. This portion 602 is also connected to the connectionportion 202 using a flexible hinge 604.

The example orientation 600 of FIG. 6 also illustrates a typingarrangement in which the input device 104 is laid flat against a surfaceand the computing device 102 is disposed at an angle to permit viewingof the display device 110. This is supported through use of a kickstand402 disposed on a rear surface of the computing device 102 to contactthe portion 602 in this example.

FIG. 7 depicts an example orientation 700 in which the input device 104including the portion 602 are used to cover both the front (e.g.,display device 110) and back (e.g., opposing side of the housing fromthe display device) of the computing device 102. In one or moreimplementations, electrical and other connectors may also be disposedalong the sides of the computing device 102 and/or the input device 104,e.g., to provide auxiliary power when closed.

Naturally, a variety of other orientations are also supported. Forinstance, the computing device 102 and input device 104 may assume anarrangement such that both are laid flat against a surface as shown inFIG. 1. Other instances are also contemplated, such as a tripodarrangement, meeting arrangement, presentation arrangement, and soforth.

Returning again to FIG. 2, the connection portion 202 is illustrated inthis example as including magnetic coupling devices 204, 206, mechanicalcoupling protrusions 208, 210, and a plurality of communication contacts212. The magnetic coupling devices 204, 206 are configured tomagnetically couple to complementary magnetic coupling devices of thecomputing device 102 through use of one or more magnets. In this way,the input device 104 may be physically secured to the computing device102 through use of magnetic attraction.

The connection portion 202 also includes mechanical coupling protrusions208, 210 to form a mechanical physical connection between the inputdevice 104 and the computing device 102. The mechanical couplingprotrusions 208, 210 are shown in greater detail in relation to FIG. 8,which is discussed below.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation 800 showing a perspective viewof the connection portion 202 of FIG. 2 that includes the mechanicalcoupling protrusions 208, 210 and the plurality of communicationcontacts 212. As illustrated, the mechanical coupling protrusions 208,210 are configured to extend away from a surface of the connectionportion 202, which in this case is perpendicular although other anglesare also contemplated.

The mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 are configured to bereceived within complimentary cavities within the channel of thecomputing device 102. When so received, the mechanical couplingprotrusions 208, 210 promote a mechanical binding between the deviceswhen forces are applied that are not aligned with an axis that isdefined as correspond to the height of the protrusions and the depth ofthe cavity, further discussion of which may be found in relation to FIG.14.

The connection portion 202 is also illustrated as including a pluralityof communication contacts 212. The plurality of communication contacts212 is configured to contact corresponding communication contacts of thecomputing device 102 to form a communicative coupling between thedevices as shown and discussed in greater detail in relation to thefollowing figure.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 900 of FIGS. 2 and 8showing one of the communication contacts 212 as well as a cross sectionof a cavity of the computing device 102 in greater detail. Theconnection portion 202 is illustrated as including a projection 902 thatis configured to be complimentary to a channel 904 of the computingdevice 102, e.g., having complimentary shapes, such that movement of theprojection 902 within the cavity 904 is limited.

The communication contacts 212 may be configured in a variety of ways.In the illustrated example, the communication contact 212 of theconnection portion 202 is formed as a spring loaded pin 906 that iscaptured within a barrel 908 of the connection portion 202. The springloaded pin 906 is biased outward from the barrel 908 to provide aconsistent communication contact between the input device 104 and thecomputing device 102, such as to a contact 910 of the computing device102. Therefore, contact and therefore communication may be maintainedduring movement or jostling of the devices. A variety of other examplesare also contemplated, including placement of the pins on the computingdevice 102 and contacts on the input device 104.

The flexible hinge 106 is also shown in greater detail in the example ofFIG. 9. The flexible hinge 106 in this cross section includes aconductor 912 that is configured to communicatively coupled thecommunication contact 212 of the connection portion 202 with an inputportion 914 of the input device 104, e.g., one or more keys, a trackpad, and so forth. The conductor 912 may be formed in a variety of ways,such as a copper trace that has an operational flexibility to permitoperation as part of the flexible hinge, e.g., to support repeatedflexing of the hinge 106. Flexibility of the conductor 912, however, maybe limited, e.g., may remain operational to conduct signals for flexingthat is performed above a minimum bend radius.

Accordingly, the flexible hinge 106 may be configured to support aminimum bend radius based on the operational flexibility of theconductor 912 such that the flexible hinge 106 resists flexing belowthat radius. A variety of different techniques may be employed. Theflexible hinge 106, for instance, may be configured to include first andsecond outer layers 916, 918, which may be formed from a fabric,microfiber cloth, and so on. Flexibility of material used to form thefirst and/or second outer layers 916, 918 may be configured to supportflexibility as described above such that the conductor 912 is not brokenor otherwise rendered inoperable during movement of the input portion914 in relation to the connection portion 202.

In another instance, the flexible hinge 106 may include a mid-spine 920located between the connection portion 202 and the input portion 914.The mid-spine 920, for example, includes a first flexible portion 922that flexible connects the input portion 904 to the mid-spine 920 and asecond flexible portion 924 that flexible connects the mid-spine 920 tothe connection portion 920.

In the illustrated example, the first and second outer layers 916, 918extend from the input portion 914 (and act as a cover thereof) throughthe first and second flexible portions 922, 924 of the flexible hinge106 and are secured to the connection portion 202, e.g., via clamping,adhesive, and so on. The conductor 912 is disposed between the first andsecond outer layers 916, 918. The mid-spine 920 may be configured toprovide mechanical stiffness to a particular location of the flexiblehinge 106 to support a desired minimum bend radius, further discussionof which may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section of the computing device 102, connectionportion 202 and flexible hinge 106 of the input device 104 as beingoriented as shown in FIG. 3 in which the input device 104 acts as acover for a display device 110 of the computing device 102. Asillustrated, this orientation causes the flexible hinge 106 to bend.Through inclusion of the mid-spine 920 and sizing of the first andsecond flexible portions 922, 924, however, the bend does not exceed anoperational bend radius of the conductor 912 as previously described. Inthis way, the mechanical stiffness provided by the mid-spine 920 (whichis greater than a mechanical stiffness of other portions of the flexiblehinge 106) may protect the conductors 912.

The mid-spine 920 may also be used to support a variety of otherfunctionality. For example, the mid-spine 920 may support movement alonga longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. 1 yet help restrict movement alonga latitudinal axis that otherwise may be encountered due to theflexibility of the flexible hinge 106.

Other techniques may also be leveraged to provide desired flexibility atparticular points along the flexible hinge 106. For example, embossingmay be used in which an embossed area, e.g., an area that mimics a sizeand orientation of the mid-spine 920, is configured to increaseflexibility of a material, such as one or more of the first and secondouter layers 916, 918, at locations that are embossed. An example of anembossed line 214 that increases flexibility of a material along aparticular axis is shown in FIG. 2. It should be readily apparent,however, that a wide variety of shapes, depths, and orientations of anembossed area are also contemplated to provide desired flexibility ofthe flexible hinge 106.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 1100 of FIGS. 2 and8 showing the magnetic coupling device 204 as well as a cross section ofthe cavity 904 of the computing device 102 in greater detail. In thisexample, a magnet of the magnetic coupling device 204 is illustrated asdisposed within the connection portion 202.

Movement of the connection portion 202 and the channel 904 together maycause the magnet 1102 to be attracted to a magnet 1104 of a magneticcoupling device 1106 of the computing device 102, which in this exampleis disposed within the channel 904 of a housing of the computing device102. In one or more implementations, flexibility of the flexible hinge106 may cause the connection portion 202 to “snap into” the channel 904.Further, this may also cause the connection portion 202 to “line up”with the channel 904, such that the mechanical coupling protrusion 208is aligned for insertion into the cavity 1002 and the communicationcontacts 208 are aligned with respective contacts 910 in the channel.

The magnetic coupling devices 204, 1106 may be configured in a varietyof ways. For example, the magnetic coupling device 204 may employ abacking 1108 (e.g., such as steel) to cause a magnetic field generatedby the magnet 1102 to extend outward away from the backing 1108. Thus, arange of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1102 may beextended. A variety of other configurations may also be employed by themagnetic coupling device 204, 1106, examples of which are described andshown in relation to the following referenced figure.

FIG. 12 depicts an example 1200 of a magnetic coupling portion that maybe employed by the input device 104 or computing device 102 to implementa flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet field isindicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

A first magnet 1202 is disposed in the magnetic coupling device having amagnetic field aligned along an axis. Second and third magnets 1204,1206 are disposed on opposing sides of the first magnet 1202. Thealignment of the respective magnetic fields of the second and thirdmagnets 1204, 1206 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of thefirst magnet 1202 and generally opposed each other.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets areaimed towards the first magnet 1202. This causes the magnetic field ofthe first magnet 1202 to extend further along the indicated axis,thereby increasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet1202.

The effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 1208,1210. In this example, the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210 havemagnetic fields that are aligned as substantially opposite to themagnetic field of the first magnet 1202. Further, the second magnet 1204is disposed between the fourth magnet 1208 and the first magnet 1202.The third magnet 1206 is disposed between the first magnet 1202 and thefifth magnet 1210. Thus, the magnetic fields of the fourth and fifthmagnets 1208, 1210 may also be caused to extend further along theirrespective axes which may further increase the strength of these magnetsas well as other magnets in the collection. This arrangement of fivemagnets is suitable to form a flux fountain. Although five magnets weredescribed, any odd number of magnets of five and greater may repeat thisrelationship to form flux fountains of even greater strength.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similararrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of theillustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first,fourth and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210 are aligned with correspondingmagnets above or below those magnets. Further, in the illustratedexample, the strength of the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202,1208, 1210 is stronger than the second and third magnets 1204, 1206,although other implementations are also contemplated. Another example ofa flux fountain is described in relation to the following discussion ofthe figure.

FIG. 13 depicts an example 1300 of a magnetic coupling portion that maybe employed by the input device 104 or computing device 102 to implementa flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet field is alsoindicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

Like the example 1200 of FIG. 12, a first magnet 1302 is disposed in themagnetic coupling device having a magnetic field aligned along an axis.Second and third magnets 1304, 1306 are disposed on opposing sides ofthe first magnet 1302. The alignment of the magnetic fields of thesecond and third magnets 1304, 1306 are substantially perpendicular theaxis of the first magnet 1302 and generally opposed each other like theexample 1200 of FIG. 12.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets areaimed towards the first magnet 1302. This causes the magnetic field ofthe first magnet 1302 to extend further along the indicated axis,thereby increasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet1302.

This effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 1308,1310. In this example, the fourth magnet 1308 has a magnetic field thatis aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the firstmagnet 1302. The fifth magnet 1310 has a magnetic field that is alignedas substantially corresponding to the magnet field of the second magnet1304 and is substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the thirdmagnet 1306. The fourth magnet 1308 is disposed between the third andfifth magnets 1306, 1310 in the magnetic coupling device.

This arrangement of five magnets is suitable to form a flux fountain.Although five magnets are described, any odd number of magnets of fiveand greater may repeat this relationship to form flux fountains of evengreater strength. Thus, the magnetic fields of the first 1302 and fourthmagnet 1308 may also be caused to extend further along its axis whichmay further increase the strength of this magnet.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similararrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of theillustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first andfourth magnets 1302, 1308 are aligned with corresponding magnets aboveor below those magnets. Further, in the illustrated example, thestrength of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 (individually) isstronger than a strength of the second, third and fifth magnets 1304,1306, 1310, although other implementations are also contemplated.

Further, the example 1200 of FIG. 12, using similar sizes of magnets,may have increased magnetic coupling as opposed to the example 1300 ofFIG. 13. For instance, the example 1200 of FIG. 12 uses three magnets(e.g. the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210) toprimarily provide the magnetic coupling, with two magnets used to“steer” the magnetic fields of those magnets, e.g., the second and thirdmagnets 1204, 1206. However, the example 1300 of FIG. 13 uses twomagnets (e.g., the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308) to primarilyprovide the magnetic coupling, with three magnets used to “steer” themagnetic fields of those magnets, e.g., the second, third, and fifthmagnets 1304, 1306, 1308.

Accordingly, though, the example 1300 of FIG. 13, using similar sizes ofmagnets, may have increased magnetic alignment capabilities as opposedto the example 1200 of FIG. 12. For instance, the example 1300 of FIG.13 uses three magnets (e.g. the second, third, and fifth magnets 1304,1306, 1310) to “steer” the magnetic fields of the first and fourthmagnets 1302, 1308, which are used to provide primary magnetic coupling.Therefore, the alignment of the fields of the magnets in the example1300 of FIG. 13 may be closer than the alignment of the example 1200 ofFIG. 12.

Regardless of the technique employed, it should be readily apparent thatthe “steering” or “aiming” of the magnetic fields described may be usedto increase an effective range of the magnets, e.g., in comparison withthe use of the magnets having similar strengths by themselves in aconventional aligned state. In one or more implementations, this causesan increase from a few millimeters using an amount of magnetic materialto a few centimeters using the same amount of magnetic material.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 1400 of FIGS. 2 and8 showing the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 as well as a crosssection of the cavity 904 of the computing device 102 in greater detail.As before, the projection 902 and channel 904 are configured to havecomplementary sizes and shapes to limit movement of the connectionportion 202 with respect to the computing device 102.

In this example, the projection 902 of the connection portion 202 alsoincludes disposed thereon the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 that isconfigured to be received in a complementary cavity 1402 disposed withinthe channel 904. The cavity 1402, for instance, may be configured toreceive the protrusion 1002 when configured as a substantially oval postas shown in FIG. 8, although other examples are also contemplated.

When a force is applied that coincides with a longitudinal axis thatfollows the height of the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 and thedepth of the cavity 1002, a user overcomes the magnetic coupling forceapplied by the magnets solely to separate the input device 104 from thecomputing device 102. However, when a force is applied along anotheraxis (i.e., at other angles) the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 isconfigured to mechanically bind within the cavity 1002. This creates amechanical force to resist removal of the input device 104 from thecomputing device 102 in addition to the magnetic force of the magneticcoupling devices 204, 206.

In this way, the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 may bias the removalof the input device 104 from the computing device 102 to mimic tearing apage from a book and restrict other attempts to separate the devices.Referring again to FIG. 1, a user may grasp the input device 104 withone hand and the computing device 102 with another and pull the devicesgenerally away from each other while in this relatively “flat”orientation. Through bending of the flexible hinge 106 the protrusion208 and an axis of the cavity 1402 may be generally aligned to permitremoval.

However, at other orientations, such as those shown in FIGS. 3-7, sidesof the protrusion 208 may bind against sides of the cavity 1402, therebyrestricting removal and promoting a secure connection between thedevices. The protrusion 208 and cavity 1402 may be oriented in relationto each other in a variety of other ways as described to promote removalalong a desired axis and promote a secure connection along other axeswithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The protrusion 208may also be leveraged to provide a variety of other functionalitybesides mechanical retention, examples of which are discussed inrelation to the following figures.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view 1500 of the protrusion as configuredto communicate signals and/or transmit power between the input device104 and the computing device 102. In this example, a top surface 1502 ofthe protrusion is configured to communicatively connect with a contactdisposed within a cavity 1402 of the computing device 1402, or viceversa.

This contact may be used for a variety of purposes, such as to transmitpower from the computing device 102 to the input device 104, fromauxiliary power of the input device 104 to the computing device,communicate signals (e.g., signals generated from the keys of thekeyboard), and so forth. Further, as shown in the top view 1600 of FIG.16, the surface 1502 may be divided to support a plurality of differentcontacts, such as first and second contacts 1602, 1604 although othernumbers, shapes, and sizes are also contemplated.

FIG. 17 depicts a cross section view 1700 of the protrusion 208 of FIG.16 as disposed within the cavity 1402 of the computing device 102. Inthis example, first and second contacts 1702, 1704 include springfeatures to bias the contacts outward from the cavity 1402. The firstand second contacts 1702, 1704 are configured to contact the first andsecond contacts 1602, 1602 of the protrusion, respectively. Further, thefirst contact 1702 is configured as a ground that is configured tocontact the first contact 1602 of the protrusion 208 before the secondcontact 1704 touches the second contact 1604 of the protrusion 208. Inthis way, the input device 104 and the computing device 102 may beprotected against electrical shorts. A variety of other examples arealso contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

FIG. 18 depicts an example implementation 1800 showing a support layer1802 that is configured to support operation of the flexible hinge 106as well as protect components of the input device 104 during thisoperation. As shown in relation to FIGS. 3-7, the flexible hinge 106 maybe configured to support various degrees of bending to assume thedifferent configurations.

However, materials chosen to form the flexible hinge 106, such as toform the first and second outer layers 916, 918 of the flexible hinge106 may be chosen to support a desired “look and feel” and therefore maynot provide desired resiliency against tearing and stretching.Therefore, in such an instance this could have an effect on operabilityof the conductors 912. For example, as previously described a user maygrasp the input device 104 with one hand to pull it away from thecomputing device 102 by disengaging the protrusions 208 and magneticattraction supported by the magnets. Therefore, this could result in anamount of force being applied to the conductors that is sufficient tobreak them absent sufficient support from the first or second outersurfaces 916, 918 or other structure.

Accordingly, the input device 104 may include a support layer 804 thatmay be configured to protect the flexible hinge 106 and other componentsof the input device 104. For example, the support layer 804 may beformed of a material that has a higher resistance to tearing andstretching than a material used to form the first or second outer layers916, 918, e.g., biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET)which is also known as Mylar.

Support provided by the support layer 1802 may thus help protect thematerial used to form the first and second outer surfaces 916, 918 ofthe flexible hinge 106. The support layer 1802 may also help protectcomponents disposed through the hinge, such as the conductors 912 usedto communicatively couple the connection portion 202 with the keys.

In the illustrated example, the support layer 1802 includes a portion1804 configured to be disposed as part of the input portion 914 of theinput device 104 that includes the keys, track pad, and so on as shownin FIG. 1. The support layer 1802 also includes first and second tabs1806, 1808 that are configured to extend from the portion 1804 throughthe flexible hinge 106 to be secured to the connection portion 202. Thetabs may be secured in a variety of ways, such as to include one or moreholes as illustrated through which a protrusion (e.g., screw, pin, andso on) may be inserted to secure the tabs to the connection portion 202.

The first and second tabs 1806, 1808 are illustrated in this example asbeing configured to connect at approximate opposing ends of theconnection portion 202. In this way, undesirable rotational movement maybe restricted, e.g., that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axisdefined by the connection portion 202. Thus, the conductors 912 disposedat a relative midpoint of the flexible hinge 106 and connection portion202 may also be protected from tearing, stretching, and other forces

The support layer 1802 in this illustrated example also includes amid-spine portion 18010 that is configured to form part of the mid-spine920 that is described in relation to FIGS. 9 and 10. Thus, the supportlayer 1802 may also act to increase the mechanical stiffness of themid-spine 920 and contribute to the minimum bend radius as alsopreviously described. Although first and second tabs 1806, 1808 areillustrated, it should be readily apparent that more or fewer tabs mayalso be employed by the support layer 1802 to support the functionalitydescribed.

FIG. 19 depicts an example implementation 1900 in which a top view ofthe connection portion 202 is shown. The connection portion 202 may beconfigured in a variety of ways and from a variety of materials, such asmetals, plastics, and so on. These different materials may be chosenbased on desired functionality.

For example, a designer may desire ease of insertion and removal of theconnection portion 202 from the cavity of the computing device 102 andaccordingly select a material that is smooth and that has a relativelyhigh resistance to wear. However, such a material may not provide adesired resistance to flexing, which could cause inconsistent contactbetween portions of the connection portion 202 with the computing device102. Accordingly, a designer may choose to utilize a plurality of pinsat first, second, third, and fourth locations 1902, 1904, 1906, and 1908along a longitudinal axis of the connection portion 202 to provide thedesired stiffness.

FIG. 20 depicts a cross section view 2000 of the connection portion 202of FIG. 19. As illustrated, first, second, third, and fourth pins 2002,2004, 2006, 2008 are utilize to secure a metal spine 2010 in thisexample to a plastic 2012 used to form a top surface of the connectionportion 202. In this way, the pins in combination with the spine 2010and plastic 2012 may form a laminate structure that is resistant tobending, e.g., along an axis perpendicular to a surface of the spine2010 and the heights of the pins. It should be readily apparent that awide range in the numbers and locations of the pins is contemplated, theprevious discussion just one example thereof.

The use of the pins may also support a variety of other functionality.For example, the laminate structure may also be supported through use ofan adhesive between the metal spine 2010 and the plastic 2012. Theadhesive, however, may have an amount of time to cure before it iseffective. Through use of the pins, however, the adhesive may be appliedand then the pins inserted to secure the metal spine 2010 to the plastic2012 during curing, thereby increasing speed of manufacturing andefficiency. The pins may be configured in a variety of ways, an exampleof which is described in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 21 depicts an example cross sectional view of the first pin 2002 ofFIG. 20 as securing the metal spine 2010 to the plastic of theconnection portion 202. In this example, the first pin 2002 isconfigured to include self-clinching functionality such that the pin maybe secured within a relatively thin material, such as a piece of sheetmetal. In this way, the metal spine 2010 may cause a pressure to beapplied against a head 2102 of the pin 2102 to secure the first pin 2002to the metal spine 2010.

The first pin 2002 may also include a barrel 2104 that is secured withinthe plastic 2104. Therefore, the first pin 2002 may be pressed throughan appropriate sized hole in the metal spine 2010 to cause the metalspine 2102 to self-clinch as well as the barrel 2104 to be securedwithin the plastic 2012. A variety of other types and configurations ofpins may be utilized, such as screws, rivets, and so on.

Example System and Device

FIG. 22 illustrates an example system generally at 2200 that includes anexample computing device 2202 that is representative of one or morecomputing systems and/or devices that may implement the varioustechniques described herein. The computing device 2202 may be, forexample, be configured to assume a mobile configuration through use of ahousing formed and size to be grasped and carried by one or more handsof a user, illustrated examples of which include a mobile phone, mobilegame and music device, and tablet computer although other examples arealso contemplated.

The example computing device 2202 as illustrated includes a processingsystem 2204, one or more computer-readable media 2206, and one or moreI/O interface 2208 that are communicatively coupled, one to another.Although not shown, the computing device 2202 may further include asystem bus or other data and command transfer system that couples thevarious components, one to another. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processoror local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. Avariety of other examples are also contemplated, such as control anddata lines.

The processing system 2204 is representative of functionality to performone or more operations using hardware. Accordingly, the processingsystem 2204 is illustrated as including hardware element 2210 that maybe configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This mayinclude implementation in hardware as an application specific integratedcircuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors.The hardware elements 2210 are not limited by the materials from whichthey are formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein. Forexample, processors may be comprised of semiconductor(s) and/ortransistors (e.g., electronic integrated circuits (ICs)). In such acontext, processor-executable instructions may beelectronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable storage media 2206 is illustrated as includingmemory/storage 2212. The memory/storage 2212 represents memory/storagecapacity associated with one or more computer-readable media. Thememory/storage component 2212 may include volatile media (such as randomaccess memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory(ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). Thememory/storage component 2212 may include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, afixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., Flashmemory, a removable hard drive, an optical disc, and so forth). Thecomputer-readable media 2206 may be configured in a variety of otherways as further described below.

Input/output interface(s) 2208 are representative of functionality toallow a user to enter commands and information to computing device 2202,and also allow information to be presented to the user and/or othercomponents or devices using various input/output devices. Examples ofinput devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., amouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitiveor other sensors that are configured to detect physical touch), a camera(e.g., which may employ visible or non-visible wavelengths such asinfrared frequencies to recognize movement as gestures that do notinvolve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include adisplay device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, anetwork card, tactile-response device, and so forth. Thus, the computingdevice 2202 may be configured in a variety of ways to support userinteraction.

The computing device 2202 is further illustrated as beingcommunicatively and physically coupled to an input device 2214 that isphysically and communicatively removable from the computing device 2202.In this way, a variety of different input devices may be coupled to thecomputing device 2202 having a wide variety of configurations to supporta wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device 2214includes one or more keys 2216, which may be configured as pressuresensitive keys, mechanically switched keys, and so forth.

The input device 2214 is further illustrated as include one or moremodules 2218 that may be configured to support a variety offunctionality. The one or more modules 2218, for instance, may beconfigured to process analog and/or digital signals received from thekeys 2216 to determine whether a keystroke was intended, determinewhether an input is indicative of resting pressure, supportauthentication of the input device 2214 for operation with the computingdevice 2202, and so on.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context ofsoftware, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, elements, components, datastructures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. The terms “module,” “functionality,” and“component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware,hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniquesdescribed herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be storedon or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. Thecomputer-readable media may include a variety of media that may beaccessed by the computing device 2202. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may include “computer-readablestorage media” and “computer-readable signal media.”

“Computer-readable storage media” may refer to media and/or devices thatenable persistent and/or non-transitory storage of information incontrast to mere signal transmission, carrier waves, or signals per se.Thus, computer-readable storage media refers to non-signal bearingmedia. The computer-readable storage media includes hardware such asvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media and/orstorage devices implemented in a method or technology suitable forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, logic elements/circuits, or other data.Examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, harddisks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or other storage device, tangible media, orarticle of manufacture suitable to store the desired information andwhich may be accessed by a computer.

“Computer-readable signal media” may refer to a signal-bearing mediumthat is configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of thecomputing device 2202, such as via a network. Signal media typically mayembody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier waves, datasignals, or other transport mechanism. Signal media also include anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware elements 2210 and computer-readablemedia 2206 are representative of modules, programmable device logicand/or fixed device logic implemented in a hardware form that may beemployed in some embodiments to implement at least some aspects of thetechniques described herein, such as to perform one or moreinstructions. Hardware may include components of an integrated circuitor on-chip system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD), and other implementations in silicon or other hardware.In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device thatperforms program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied bythe hardware as well as a hardware utilized to store instructions forexecution, e.g., the computer-readable storage media describedpreviously.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement varioustechniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, orexecutable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/orlogic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or byone or more hardware elements 2210. The computing device 2202 may beconfigured to implement particular instructions and/or functionscorresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly,implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device2202 as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g.,through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements2210 of the processing system 2204. The instructions and/or functionsmay be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (forexample, one or more computing devices 2202 and/or processing systems2204) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

Conclusion

Although the example implementations have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the implementations defined in the appended claims isnot necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described.Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claimed features.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input device comprising: an input portionconfigured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device asinputs; a connection portion that is configured to be removableattachable to the computing device and including at least onecommunication contact configured to form a communicative coupling withthe computing device to communicate the generated signals; a hinge thatis configured to communicatively connect the connection portion to theinput portion; first and second outer layers that are configured to actas an outer surface of the input portion and the hinge and arephysically secured to the connection portion; and a support layerdisposed between the first and second outer layers of the input portionand the hinge, the support layer having one or more tabs that areconfigured to be secured to the connection portion.
 2. An input deviceas described in claim 1, wherein the support layer is formed from amaterial having a greater resistance to tearing that the first andsecond outer layers.
 3. An input device as described in claim 1, whereinthe support layer is configured to reduce an amount of force encounteredby the first and second outer layers during movement of the input devicein relation to the computing device.
 4. An input device as described inclaim 1, wherein the support layer is formed from biaxially-orientedpolyethylene terephthalate (BoPET).
 5. An input device as described inclaim 1, wherein the support layer includes one or more holes throughwhich a protrusion is inserted to physically secure the support layer tothe connection portion.
 6. An input device as described in claim 1,wherein the support layer includes a plurality of said tabs that aresecured to the support layer at respective positions of the connectionportion through the hinge and a conductor that is configured tocommunicatively couple the input portion with the at least onecommunication contact is disposed at least partially through the hingebetween the respective positions of the plurality of said tabs.
 7. Akeyboard comprising: an input portion having a plurality of keysconfigured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device asinputs; a connection portion that is configured to be removableattachable to the computing device and form a communicative couplingwith the computing device to communicate the generated signals; aflexible hinge that is configured to flexibly and communicativelyconnect the connection portion to the input portion; an outer layer thatare configured to act as an outer surface of the input portion and theflexible hinge, the outer layer including one or more indications ofoperations associated with respective said keys; and a support layerdisposed beneath the outer layer of the input portion and the flexiblehinge and secured to the connection portion, the support layer formedfrom a material having a greater resistance to stretching than the outerlayer.
 8. A keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein the pulling of theinput device is performed to remove the connection portion from thecomputing device.
 9. A keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein thepulling is performable such that an action of the input portion inrelation to the computing device mimics movement involved in tearing ofa page from a book.
 10. A keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein theflexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to orient theinput portion in: a first orientation with respect to the computingdevice to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computingdevice; and a second orientation with respect to the computing device tocover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device thatis opposite of a side of the housing that includes the display device.11. A keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein: the support layerincludes a plurality of tabs that are secured to the connection portionat respective positions through the flexible hinge; and a conductor isconfigured to communicatively couple the plurality of keys with theconnection portion is disposed at least partially through the flexiblehinge between the respective positions of the plurality of tabs.
 12. Akeyboard as described in claim 11, wherein the conductor is disposedthrough an approximate center of flexible hinge and between the firstand second outer layers.
 13. A keyboard as described in claim 7, whereinthe support layer includes one or more holes through which a protrusionis inserted to physically secure the support layer to the connectionportion.
 14. A keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein the supportlayer is formed from a material having a greater resistance to tearingthan a material of the outer layer.
 15. An input device comprising: aninput portion configured to generate signals to be processed by acomputing device as inputs; a connection portion that is configured tobe removable attachable to the computing device and including at leastone communication contact configured to form a communicative couplingwith the computing device to communicate the generated signals; aflexible hinge that physically connects the connection portion with theinput portion and includes a conductor to communicate the generatedsignals from the input portion to the at least one communicationcontact; and a support layer that is part of the input portion, extendsthrough the flexible hinge, and is secured to the connection portion,the support layer formed to protect the conductor from breaking as aresult of a force applied to pull the input portion away from thecomputing device.
 16. An input device as described in claim 15, whereinthe force is applied to remove the connection portion from beingphysically coupled to the computing device.
 17. An input device asdescribed in claim 16, wherein the physical coupling is provided atleast in part using one or more magnets.
 18. An input device asdescribed in claim 15, wherein the input portion is configured toinclude a plurality of keys and a track pad to generate the signals.